Highlights from the Google data breach

In light of the news that Google suffered a data breach via a third party benefits provider, Barry Scott, CTO EMEA at Centrify, commented:

“Whilst the Google breach resulted from an email error, it highlights the risks posed by third parties. When it comes to IT security, you are only as strong as your weakest link. If a hacker can find their way inside the network, they will then seek any opportunity to elevate privileges, and completely circumventing existing company defences such as firewalls in order to reach their ultimate goal.

Dealing with third parties is an inevitability of modern day business, and so too is the risk of a data breach. Unfortunately, the two often go hand in hand. Businesses must incorporate an additional layer of defence in order to protect sensitive corporate data from the threats posed by potentially less security-minded third parties, and safeguard against the risks they face should hackers find a loophole in existing security processes.”